New Church Logo of Jesus in a Bell Jar?

[Shulem]

It's interesting to see how how Mormonism gradually began to fall into graven image idolatry by first taking a baby step and then embracing and running with the concept to the end result. First, it starts with what seems rather harmless, a memorial, but in time that memorial can become an idol, many idols!

Elder Hunter expressed in General Conference that the Christus was merely a memorial, at first.

Fathers have been leaving memorials for their children, and children have been raising them to their fathers, since time began. Here on Temple Square we have consciously surrounded ourselves with such memorials—the old Nauvoo bell, the Seagull Monument, statues of the Restoration, Thorvaldsen’s Christus, to name just a few. These serve to unite generation with generation, preserving in a long, unbroken chain the important events of our common heritage.

In the following General Conference we learn more about how the Christus statue was sincerely admired by Church leaders:

This past summer my wife and I were again blessed to be with President and Sister Kimball and other General Authorities and their wives at area conferences in Scandinavia and Europe. Following the closing session in Copenhagen, Denmark, we all visited a cathedral referred to as the Dome. Within this great edifice are the best-loved works of Denmark’s greatest sculptor, Bertel Thorvaldsen—his original Christus and the Twelve Apostles. The imposing statue of Christ stands in an alcove at the front of the cathedral beyond an altar.

<snip>

President Kimball thoughtfully studied each statue.

He began in simple words which went something like this: ‘My dear friend, the man who created these statues was surely inspired of the Lord. The beauty and majesty of the Christus are wonderful. While Thorvaldsen was doing his work here, in 1821 to 1844 Joseph Smith was doing his work in America. Thorvaldsen didn’t have the gospel as did Joseph Smith, but he had the Spirit. He must have been inspired to create these statues of Christ and the apostles. He was trying to bring them to life.’

Where in the Bible (Old or New) does the LORD inspire craftsmen to fashion a graven image of the God of Israel? Such is not found anywhere in the Bible! This is entirely an idea and construct that was developed by the Christian religion after the death of Christ and his apostles. The making of graven images to the glory of God is not sanctioned in holy writ but is a violation of the Ten Commandments.

Spencer W. Kimball was not inspired by the LORD of the Bible when he said a craftsman was inspired to fashion a graven image in God's honor.

[Shulem]

It seems that the grand and glorious memorial of the statue (graven image) of Christus embraced by Mormonism started at the Mormon Pavilion of the New York 1964 World's Fair:

The heroic-sized marble statue of Jesus Christ and the inspired painting of the Twelve Apostles will show that we accept Jesus Christ, the Twelve Apostles, and the scriptures of the New Testament. The one-hundred-ten foot mural, picturing the teachings of Jesus Christ, will touch the hearts of the true Christians.

Mormon Pavilion at 1964 World's Fair Had Impact



Mormon Pavilion at world’s fair 50 years ago set the stage for future outreach to the public





You see, we Mormons really are Christians, just like you.

[Shulem]

During the time the Mormons were under the thrall of polygamy, they attempted to put their best foot forward at another World's Fair. As you can see, the Mormons had not yet adopted the art of making graven images of Jesus. At the very least the Mormons were reticent in expressing interest in adopting the custom of the Catholics and Protestants who fully embraced the concept.

It may not be Jesus but it's what the Mormons had to offer at the time:



1893 Chicago World's Fair

I think it's safe to say that this is truly an appropriate memorial.

[Shulem]

Joseph Smith and the early Mormons maintained a strict obedience to the Ten Commandments in not embracing the traditional Christian practice of making graven images of the LORD. Smith proved his loyalty to the Commandment insofar as the temples built under his direct supervision were not garnished or polluted with graven images of the LORD. Strict adherence showed a clear distinction that the restored Church was not going to tempt the LORD or arouse his anger by introducing traditional Christian idolatry into his religion but would hold true to the original teachings and commandments that were given to forever endure the test of time.

The Kirtland temple was the first example to prove that Joseph Smith would not bend to the temptation to enter the practice of idolatry that is condemned by the laws of God in both Testaments of the Bible and the Book of Mormon.






The Nauvoo temple was not polluted with graven images of Christ

[Shulem]

Imagine a living Jesus standing side by side with a stone statue of himself. Would Jesus appear and stand next to a stone statue of himself?



Granted, the Mormons aren't yet at the stage of setting up Christus statues or images within inner sanctuaries of their temples or church buildings but that could change over time. At present, the idolatrous practice is reserved for visitors' centers and public places where the statues can be admired and remind everyone that Mormons are also Christians and are just as capable of rearing up images to that effect. People can look at the statues and think about Christ while they admire the stone image.

But really, does anyone think Jesus would come down and stand next to a statue that was crafted by the hand of man and expect him to like it?

Really?

Well, I can assure you that Jesus Christ is never going to come down and appear next to one of those statues and take a liking to it. It will never happen. Period.

[Shulem]

Early Mormon Church leaders stood their ground and maintained the Second Commandment handed down by Moses. The fashioning of idols or graven images of Christ was not in the mindset of the Mormons who were not interested in adopting corrupt customs from worldly Christian churches. Joseph Smith restored what was considered true Christianity and his example would mark the way in which his successors would follow.

The Brigham Young Monument was first displayed at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. It stood briefly afterwards on Temple Square and was then transferred centering the intersection of Main and South Temple streets in 1897, where it stood until 1993, when it was moved a few yards north to its present location.

Meanwhile . . . . NO GRAVEN IMAGES OF JESUS!

But, Statues of Joseph & Hyrum would soon follow:

Two bronze statues of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith are located at Temple Square in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.

They were created in 1907 by Mahonri Young using the death masks of Joseph and Hyrum. They were originally located next to the doors of the Salt Lake Temple, but in 1911 they were moved to a more prominent positions between the Visitor center and the Temple.

Meanwhile . . . . NO GRAVEN IMAGES OF JESUS!

The Church would continue to hold its ground in keeping the Second Commandment given by Moses that graven images of God were absolutely forbidden.

[Shulem]

But really, does anyone think Jesus would come down and stand next to a statue that was crafted by the hand of man and expect him to like it?

Really?

Well, I can assure you that Jesus Christ is never going to come down and appear next to one of those statues and take a liking to it. It will never happen. Period.

Dear Christian friend,

Ask yourself a question, a very simple question: If Jesus doesn't like a statue or graven image of himself then why should you?

If you knew that Jesus didn't like a certain statue would you go out and buy a mass produced copy of it and set it up on your living room coffee table?

Really, would you?

Rest assured that Moses never set up a graven image of the LORD (Jehovah) but discussed the appearance and manifestation of Jehovah in spiritual terms only.

Rest assured that Peter & Paul never set up a graven image of Christ to commemorate his resurrection. It did not happen. Idols were forbidden under the law of the Ten Commandments.

[Shulem]

And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Now, suppose if you will, a situation involved the making of an idol, a graven image made to honor Israel's Deity. Suppose that they found a man within the congregation that crafted a statue of an anthropomorphic image of the LORD (Jehovah) and set the statue up in front of his tent for everyone to admire. Think about how fast Moses would have got wind of this apostate craftsman who defiled the holy commandment written by the finger of God which says:

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth".

Anyone care to guess or imagine what Moses might have done? My best guess is that Moses in those circumstances would have accused the craftsman of idolatry and executed him making an example that the violation of the Law will not be tolerated. Picking up sticks on the sabbath and making graven images were a capital offence in the eyes of Moses, the Lawgiver!

[Shulem]

See President Nelson's personal graven image in the foreground of his portrait below. He's breaking one of the Ten Commandments.

President Nelson knows that the Second of Ten Commandments written on the tablets of Moses was never rescinded or adjusted to accommodate the making of graven images to Jehovah or Christ. The Testaments contained in Church canon, including the Doctrine and Covenants, make no allowance for the representation of Deity through graven images. President Nelson also knows that Joseph Smith did not rescind or alter the Second Commandment as did the (apostate) Catholic and Protestant religions, who through long tradition, dismissed the commandment in order to glorify the Christian religion and increase public faith.

Therefore, it must be understood, the Second Commandment is still in force today! Because of tradition and the desire of Christians to make images of Christ as a sign of their devotion and faith, the commandment has been disavowed and ignored. Today, the commandment is being broken by the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who is just as guilty as the pope for embracing an apostate practice that the scriptures fully condemn.

[Shulem]

The Book of Mormon affirms that the Ten Commandments were established law -- divine statutes to last forever.

The prophet Abinadi was tasked with the challenge of having to confront wicked king Noah and accuse him of disobeying the laws of God. Abinadi made it clear that everyone must keep the commandments of God in order to be saved; moreover he addressed the king and cited the Ten Commandments. During the address, Abinadi accused king Noah of disregarding the laws of God after citing the first two of the Ten Commandments -- affirming that BOTH commandments were in full force under the laws of God:

But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:

Thus, the Ten Commandments.

I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land
of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

The Lord bears testimony of himself.

Thou shalt have no other God before me.

Commandment No. 1, the Lord (Jehovah) is the only God in whom the Nephites must worship.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.

Commandment No. 2, is to not make any graven image of a deity, period. Then, in his next breath, Abinadi accused king Noah of breaking both commandments:

Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.

Immediately, a confrontation between Noah and Abinadi reached a boiling point but in the following verses of chapter 13, the rest of the Ten Commandments are cited. The first TWO commandments given by Moses on the tablets are separate statutes bound together as a single law and premise on what NOT to do when it comes to worshipping God.

An idol is an idol, whether a golden calf or the image of a Man depicting the Lord, BOTH are forbidden under the law of idolatry given in the Ten Commandments! There were to be no other gods other than the Lord and no graven images were allowed to be fashioned or made to represent God. That was a standing law given to Israel to last forever. Never at any time was the law rescinded or modified by prophets in any Testament to allow the fashioning of graven images to represent the Lord's divine Personage.